Introduction to the
Card Descriptions
[ Name and Picture ]
[ Keywords ]
[ Actions ]
[ Opposing Cards ]
[ Reinforcing Cards ]
[ Court Card Pairs ]
[ Ace-Ace Pairs ]
[ Description ]
[ Reversed? ]
Here are the features you will find on the card pages:
The name of the card with a small picture of its image from the Rider-Waite deck.
The thumbnail picture is a link to a larger image (100 KB on average).
The keywords are 3-5 words or phrases that capture the main themes of a card. They are listed at the top of the page.
There are also three keyword summary charts for reference:
Actions are phrases describing how the energy of each keyword manifests.
Two sample actions for the High Priestess are "looking beyond the obvious" and "sensing the secret and hidden."
These are ways to experience the keyword mystery. The active form is used to emphasize how a card represents dynamic energy.
An opposing pair consists of two cards with meanings that can be opposites.
Some cards are listed that sometimes form an opposing pair with the given card.
See lesson 15 for a discussion of card pairs.
See the suit and court card summary charts for some possible meanings
created when two suits or court cards interact.
A reinforcing pair consists of two cards with meanings that can be similar.
Some cards are listed that sometimes form a reinforcing pair with the given card.
See lesson 15 for a discussion of card pairs.
See the suit and court card summary charts for some possible meanings
created when two suits or court cards interact.
Court cards form natural pairs because of their distinctive personalities.
Compare the ranks and suits of the two cards to understand the interaction.
See lesson 15 for a discussion of card pairs.
See the suit and court card summary charts for some possible meanings
created when two suits or court cards interact.
An Ace-Ace pair does not show an opposition, but a unique chance to grow in a new direction that taps the energy of both suits.
See lesson 15 for a discussion of card pairs.
See the suit pair summary charts for some possible meanings
created when two aces interact.
The description consists of a few paragraphs of extra information about a card and what it implies in a reading. The major arcana descriptions tend to be more general and philosophical. The minor arcana descriptions are more concrete and everyday.
Reversed?
There are no separate explanations for reversed cards. The meaning of a reversed card depends on what the card would mean if upright. A reversed card shows that a card's energy is present, but at a lower level. For some reason, the energy cannot express freely, normally or completely. It may be:
- still in its early stages
- losing force and power
- blocked or restricted
- incomplete
- inappropriate
- being denied
- only present in appearance
See lesson 17 for more information on reversed cards.
